“I CAN’T WAIT TO GET OUT THERE AND GIVE IT MY BEST”

Pritchard and opposition rally crews heading out for the weekend will tackle 160 miles of some of Europe’s finest asphalt rallying.

It’s rallying at its best, on closed public roads between Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon.

This double-header for the Mintex MSA British Historic Rally Championship is crucial in Pritchard’s quest to retain the title he and co-driver Phil Clarke won last year. There are a number of the stages that run in the dark, which adds another challenge to this Historic event on the famous motoring island.

With so many points available over the weekend, Pritchard knows the importance of finishing on Saturday:

“The event attracts a number of Historic tarmac experts so we know that the pace will be extremely fast on these demanding tarmac roads.

“It’s such a long event that you need to concentrate more than usual, there’s pressure on the car as well, it’s crucial that you last the distance and you drive with your head and a hint of calmness , it’s not a 45 mile sprint like most of the Championship rounds.”

Pritchard’s experienced the highs and lows that rallying offers this season but he’s not dwelling on the bad luck which has impacted his defence of the Championship:

“Myself and Phil know we are on the back foot in regards to the winning the Championship, however victory in the last round on Epynt was just what we needed, I’m going out to the Isle of Man in a confident mood and looking forward to a testing rally.

“We need to go out there and do our own thing, I’ve got faith in my driving and of course the car, I want to enjoy each stage and see where it takes me.

“We have both competed in the Isle of Man on a number of occasions and had some great success along the way, I’m hoping for the same this weekend. Knowledge of the stages is often helpful but when the helmet is on and I’m behind the wheel, I need to listen and trust Phil and the notes we’ve made the previous days.

“I can’t wait to get out there and give it my best, that’s all I can do.”

This round of the British Historic Rally Championship includes 21 stages over 160 miles. The first round starts at 3pm on Thursday, with the rally due to finish at 4pm on Saturday.

Pritchard is keen to impress and was grateful to the team behind the car and also his service team and sponsors who’ve supported him across the Championship this year:

“Viking Motorsport have done another fantastic job in preparing the car for me, I know that nothing more can be done in regards to the car, and as always, I would like to thank my sponsors: North Road Garage Builth Wells, Harkness Competition Tyres, Pirelli, FCS Laser Mail, Viking Motorsport, Sherwood Engines and Martin Jones Transmission.

“I would also like to welcome a new sponsor for this rally, Monaville Guesthouse. Without the support from my sponsors, the team who join me at each event and of course my family, I simply wouldn’t be able to compete, so thank you.”